Structural joint connector



April 1965 H. H. BOOHER 3,178,780

STRUCTURAL JOINT CONNECTOR Filed June '7. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR.

" HHELEY E BOOHEE April 20, 1965 H. H. BOOHER 3,173,730

STRUCTURAL JOINT CONNECTOR Filed June 7. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTOR. HQE'LEY H. BOOI/ERZ United States Patent 3,178,780 STRUCTURAL JOINTCONNECTOR Harley H. Booher, Kenwood, Califi, assignor to The FloorCorporation, Ltd., Los Angeles, Calif, a corporation of California FiledJune 7, 1961, Ser. No. 115,499 3 Claims. (Cl. 20--92) This inventionrelates generally to structural joint connectors applicable to woodenframing, and more particularly concerns novel connectors characterizedas having pyramidal teeth developing superior holding power or capacitywhen the connector is fastened to wooden frammg.

Broadly speaking, conventional toothed connectors currently in useemploy various forms of stamped metal which stampings have slender orfiat teeth. When such a connector is attached to wooden framing theteeth actually separate the grain of the wood which weakens the wood andtherefore makes it less suitable for the intended purpose.

The present invention is predicated upon the concept of developingsuperior holding power obtained by pyramidal tooth compression of theWood fibers when the tooth is forced into the wood during attachment ofthe connector thereto. Compression of the wood fibers increases thenatural physical properties such as compression parallel to the grain,of the wood along the sloping face or faces of the pyramidal teeth. Thisalso insures a positive fit and consequent full bearing area. Thus, whenforce is transmitted between a tooth and the wood and in any resultingdirection, a component of the force is developed along the sloping faceof the tooth which is resisted by tension in the bolt or other deviceattaching the connector plate to the wooden framing. Accordingly,increased tension in the bolt results in additional length of bearing onthe wood against which the bolt bears. Thus, a superior structuralconnector is provided by virtue of the pyramidal toothed plates and thebolt or bolts acting as a unit, each contributing beneficially to theother.

More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of rigidplate means having a locus from which a holder such as a bolt shankextends in use into the framing from the side of the plate facing theframing, together with pyramidal teeth integral with the plate means andprojecting from the side thereof proximate to the men tioned locus topenetrate the framing when the plate means is forcibly advanced intoadjacency to the framing, and also tongues having interfitting lug andsocket parts to hold the plates and teeth thereon in load bearingposition, in unusually effective manner. Typically, the pyramidal teethare spaced apart about the mentioned locus, and are alike, each havingan approximately square base and a height that is approximately the sameas the square dimension of the base. Also, different teeth spaced aboutany particular locus of the holder have triangular faces that extend inparallel planes, as will be described.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of pyramidal teethintegral with a pair of spaced rigid plates between which the holder orbolt extends in use through the framing, the teeth extending oppositelyfrom the respective plates to penetrate the framing when the plates areforcibly advanced toward one another and into the framing. Additionally,the pyramidal teeth are typically spaced apart about a pair of boltshaving spaced parallel axes and the pair of rigid plates interconnectedby the bolts carry a pair of tongues extending in and held in closelyspaced overlapping at opposite sides of a plane through the parallelaxes of the bolts, the tongues forming a pivot for the connector.Finally, the rigid plates may comprise arms having extensions containingopenings through which the bolts extend, the pyramidal teeth beingarranged about the mentioned openings, and the plate arms extendingsufficiently to overlap the loci of wooden frame member joints, so thatthe extensions with which the teeth are integral are spaced in use fromthe frame joints.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a section showing pivoted connectors each attached to a woodenframe member, and both pivotally connected to an intermediate woodenframe member through auxiliary plates;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a pivot connector of FIG. 1 havingpyramidal teeth in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective showing of the FIG. 2 connector andwooden frame member;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another type connector incorporating theinvention and rigidly joining together several Wooden frame members;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plane view of an arm extension of the FIG. 6connector and showing the arrangement of pyramidal teeth about theholder shank associated with the connector; and

FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 6 showing another type connectorincorporating the invention and rigidly joining together several woodenframe members.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 5, a principal wooden frame member isshown at 10 with two pairs 11 and 12 of connector assemblies rigidlyattached thereto as illustrated. Each connector assembly includes a pairof metallic plates 13 and 14 with holders such as bolts 15 joiningtogether the plates 13 and 14 of each assembly.

Each plate 14 incorporates a flange 16 which projects outwardly awayfrom the plate and the wooden frame member 19, the two flangesprojecting at opposite sides of the frame member 16 so as to accommodatepivotal joining of frame members 17 and 18 to the intermediate framemember 19.

Such pivotal joinder of the frame members 17 and 18 to the intermediateframe member 10 is accommodated by a structural joint connector 19 whichis better shown in FIGS. 2 through 5 to include a pair of spaced rigidplates 2% and 21 which are generally parallel and holder means typicallyin the form of a bolt or bolts 22 having shanks 23 which extend in usethrough the framing 18 between the plates. Each bolt also typicallyincorporates a head 24 and a nut 25 which upon tightening to thethreaded extent 226 of the bolt effects forcible closing together of theplates 20 and 21 against the opposite sides 27 and 23 of the framemember 18.

in accordance with the invention, a group or groups of pyramidal teeth29 are integrally carried by the plates 21 and 21 and they project fromthe sides thereof facing the wooden framing to penetrate the latter whenthe plates are forcibly advanced into adjacency to the framing.Additionally, the pyramidal teeth are proximate the locus of the boltshank 23, and they preferably are arranged so as to be circularly spacedapart about the bolt shank in use, there being approximately equallyspacing between the teeth, and the teeth being approximately equallyspaced from the shank 23. The pyramidal teeth are furthermore alike, andfor best results each tooth has an approximate square base and a heightthat is approximately the same as the square dimension of the base.

the connector.

Q Typically each tooth-is about A inch square at the base and inch high.Furthermore, the tooth forms four triangular faces, each face leaningtoward the center or axis of the tooth at an anglesof 2634 to the base.Final-' ly, the teeth ofeach group extending about any particular shank23 have parallel triangular faces, for best results as is clear fromFIG. 5. Accordingly, a positive fit and a consequent full bearing areaare provided for, and superior holding power isdeveloped by pyramidaltooth compression of the wood fibers when the toothis forced into thewood by the bolt. 'While dififerent bolt and frame member sizes may beused, it is contemplated that the inch pyramidal tooth dimensions will,for best re sults, be used in combination with /2 .inch diameter boltsand frame members which vary in cross .section about 3 inches by 3inches and 4 inches by 6 inches. Testing of such connectors shows'rtheiruniform holding quality the bolt shanks 23 extend in a plane, and theconnectorv 19 includesa pairof tongues 30 and 31 respectivelyintegralwith the plates and 21, the tongues extending in closely spacedoverlapping relation at opposite sides of the said plane through theshank axes, all'as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5., The mentionedplane as shown at 32' in FIG. 3 at the interfacebetween the tongues and'31. The latter form a pivot member receiving aperture 33 shown in FIG.'2 and which is in the plane 32 at opposite sides of which equal numbersof the pyramidal teeth lay, thereby bearing the force distribution withrespect to the pivot. The axis of aperture 33 is normal to plane 32,'as'is clear from the drawings.

As best shown in:FIG. 4,'the tongues 30 and 31 carry interfitting :lugs34 and 35 which slideably interfit when the plates 20 and 21 are broughttogether, two sets of such interfitting'lugs being provided'as bestillustrated in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the lugs interlock the tongues andtherefore the plates near the pivot 33 for rigidizing' As is clear, .thetongues are formed at substantially right anglestolthe plates, with thetongues having a lug and socket formed thereon or proximate theretoand'in'mutu'ally offsetrelation, ,so that for example the lug 34 of onetongue enters the-socket 135 tonguesare assembled in closely spacedrelation.

it will be understood that pyramidal teeth are carried by theintermediate plate sections 58 and spaced about the bolts therethroughin the same manner as described in connection with FIG. 7.

Another form of connector quite similar to that shown in FIG. 6 is shownat 59 in FIG. 9, the connector in this instance including two rigidplates comprising two arms 60 which overlap at 61 at one side. of thecentral frame member 62,..it being .understood that another pair ofoverlapping rigid plates. just like those'shown are located at theopposite sides of the frame assembly. The latter includesdiagonalfr'amemembers 63 through 66 which are joinedto the central framemember 62 as shown,

with joints 67 through "70 therebetween. Here again, the

arms of the-frame members have extensions 71which are just like theextensions 44 described in connection with FIG. 6 and incorporatepyramidal teeth 72 just like those shown at 54. Correspondingly,bolts orholders 73 just like the holders 55 are provided to hold .the platesdefined'bythe lug 35 of the other tongue when the Referring now to FIGS.'6'through 8, another type connector incorporating the inventionisjgenerally desigbolt shanks 46 extend. The arms 41 through 43 havesuflicient length or extent to overlap the loci 47 through againstopposite sides of the frame' members and thereby cause the pyramidalteeth to compressively penetrate ,the'wooden framing without separatingthe grain of the wood.

" With regard to FIGS.,6, 7,8 and 9, it will be understood thatpyramidal teeth project intothe wood from each of the extensions 44 and'71, and around each bolt hole;

' en frame member having parallel opposite sides, a. metallic'connectorattached to an end portion of said member, said connector including apair of plates respectively located adjacent said member opposite sidesand extending lengthwise therealong to transmit lengthwise loading tosaid member, said connector including pyramidal teeth integral with eachof said platesand projecting there from to penetrate into said member atsaid opposite sides thereof thereby to compress the wood fibers, saidmember having lengthwise spaced transverse openings therethrough betweensaid plates, and generally parallel metallic fasteners having connectionto the plates and extending through said openings: and transmittingforce acting to clamp said plates to said'member opposite sides, saidteeth being spaced fromv and about each fastener, said connectorincluding means extending beyond the terminal e'nd of the framelmemberfor interconnecting said plates, said means including a pair of tonguesrespectively integral with the plates and extending in closely spacedassembled relation at the end of said member taining openings 45"through which the holders such asthe 49 of wooden frame member jointsso that the extensions 44-are spaced in use from the joints. As shown'inFIG.

6, the joint loci 47 through 49 are formed between the diagonal Woodenframe members 50 through 52 and the main wooden frame members53. I Thearm extensions 44 carry pyramidal teeth 54 which are like thosepreviously described'in connection with FIGS. 2 through 5, inthat theteeth are alike with each' having an approximately square base and aheight that any particular bolt shank have triangular faces that ex-.

tend in parallel planes is clearly illustrated in FIG. 8.

and having aligned aperture, the tongues being disposed in'overlappingrelation at substantially right angles to the plates, the first tonguehaving a lug in the plane of the tongue andlextending therefrom, thesecond tonguehaving a socket at the side thereof, the lug of the firsttongue being received in the socket of the second tongue.

2. For combination with an elongated one-piece wooden frame memberhaving'parallel opposite sides, a metallic 7 said connector including apair of plates respectively 10- The'connector 40 is joined to theprincipal frame memcated adjacent'said member opposite sidesandextendinglengthwise therealong to transmit lengthwise loading to saidmember, said connector including pyramidal teeth integralwvith each ofsaid plates and projecting therefrom to penetrate into said member atsaid opposite sides thereof to compress the wood fibers, said memberhaving an opening therethrough between the plates, a metallic fastenerhaving connection to the plates. and extending through said opening andtransmitting force acting to clamp said plates to said member oppositesides, said teeth being spaced from and about the fastener, saidconnector including means extending beyond the terminal end of the framemember for interconnecting the plates, said means including a pair oftongues respectively integral with the plates and extending in closelyspaced assembled relation at the end of said member and having alignedapertures, the tongues being disposed in overlapping relation atsubstantially right angles to the plates, the first tongue having a lugin the plane of the tongue and extending therefrom, the second tonguehaving a socket at the side thereof, the lug of the first tongue beingreceived in the socket of the second tongue.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 in which said teeth are alike,each having an approximately square base adjacent the plate and amaximum projected height that is approximately the same as the squaredimension of the base.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS6/5 1 France.

7/ 34 Germany; 12/23 Norway. 10/48 Sweden.-

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner.

2. FOR COMBINATION WITH AN ELONGATED ONE-PIECE WOODEN FRAME MEMBERHAVING PARALLEL OPPOSITE SIDES, A METALLIC CONNECTOR ATTACHED TO AN ENDPORTION OF SAID MEMBER, SAID CONNECTOR INCLUDING A PAIR OF PLATESRESPECTIVELY LOCATED ADJACENT SAID MEMBER OPPOSITE SIDES AND EXTENDINGLENGTHWISE THEREALONG TO TRANSMIT LENGTHWISE LOADING TO SAID MEMBER,SAID CONNECTOR INCLUDING PYRAMIDAL TEETH INTEGRAL WITH EACH OF SAIDPLATES AND PROJECTING THEREFROM TOE PENETRATE INTO SAID MEMBER AT SAIDOPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF TO COMPRESS THE WOOD FIBERS, SAID MEMBER HAVINGAN OPENING THERETHROUGH BETWEEN THE PLATES, A METALLIC FASTENER HAVINGCONNECTION TO THE PLATES AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENING ANDTRANSMITING FORCE ACTING TO CLAMP SAID PLATES TO SAID MEMBER OPPOSITESIDES, SAID TEETH BEING SPACED FROM AND ABOUT THE FASTENER, SAIDCONNECTOR INCLUDING MEANS EXTENDING BEYOND THE TERMINAL END OF THE FRAMEMEMBER FOR INTERCONNECTING THE PLATES, SAID BEAMS INCLUDING A PAIR OFTONGUES RESPECTIVELY INTEGRAL WITH THE PLATES AND EXTENDING IN CLOSE-